VDSL
The smart choice if you're waiting for fibre
VDSL is suitable for a range of online activities like streaming high definition shows, video calling or uploading photos. Broadband plans on VDSL generally offer a faster, more reliable internet experience than basic ADSL broadband, but cost about the same per month.
VDSL broadband connections are also quick and easy to get up and running in most cases. This is because the existing copper network is used to transport data from your house to a local roadside cabinet, which means there's no installation or building work needed. From that point on the fibre network is used which means you also get some of the speed and reliability benefits of a fibre connection.
Due to the use of both network technologies in a VDSL connection, it does mean it is only available to properties located up to 1,200m of the local cabinet or exchange as copper lines can be impacted by distance. Like ADSL, VDSL is also susceptible to lag or latency but lower lag than fixed wireless broadband.
From that perspective, a VDSL connection is a great option if you're looking for an upgrade from than basic broadband and you're waiting for fibre to become available.
If Chorus fibre isn't likely to be coming to your area anytime soon, as you're outside the planned ultra-fast broadband Government rollout programme or you're located in another fibre company region, there are other options to connect to our world class fibre network.
- Easy upgrade
- Less buffering than ADSL
- Less prone to lag than fixed wireless
- Dedicated broadband connection
- Supports UHD video streaming
VDSL provides broadband access over a mix of copper and fibre lines and can deliver data at a rate up to 130 Mbps and 10 Mbps upload.
The speed and performance of an VDSL broadband connection may differ from this potential speeds due to a range of factors beyond the Chorus network such as the age of devices, wifi performance, the quality of the modem, a broadband provider’s network and capacity and the distance between your house and the exchange. The typical VDSL connection speed in New Zealand is 25-60 Mbps upload and 10 Mbps download.
It matters how far away you are from the local cabinet. With copper connections, speed does decrease over distance. The further away you are, the slower the connection may be. Chorus can deliver VDSL services to properties located up to 1.2 km of the local cabinet or exchange. Fibre broadband is not affected by distance.
As outlined above, VDSL broadband connections use the legacy copper network which is the same network that has been used to connect our landline phones for over a century. As part of the natural evolution of technology and with fibre now available to over 80% of New Zealand, over the next couple of years Chorus will be retiring parts of the copper network in high density areas where fibre is available. There’ll certainly be no ‘switch off date’ for the copper network, like terrestrial TV for example. Instead it will happen gradually on a street by street basis and will only happen if fibre uptake is at a level where it needs to be. So if fibre is available in your area, you may want to consider a fibre connection. It's proven as the best performing broadband, costs not much more than VDSL and is generally free to install.
If you're in a rural area where fibre is not available today or planned for anytime soon, it's also ok as we'll be ensuring the copper network will remain in these areas so you can continue to access landline and broadband services.
Find the right connection for you
Not all broadband is created equal. Before you choose a plan with your service provider it’s good to understand the different types of network connections that deliver a broadband service. We've provided an indication of the performance and cost of broadband connections based on the latest Measuring Broadband New Zealand (MBNZ) report. The names of the connection types might vary from the name a broadband provider uses when selling you a service.
To learn what's available at your address CHECK YOUR ADDRESS
Download
Upload
Download
Upload
Download
Upload
* Speed and latency: The broadband speeds quoted are national peak time average speeds based on the Commerce Commission’s latest Measuring Broadband New Zealand (MBNZ) report. These performance measures are indicative and you may experience faster or slower speeds depending on a range of factors, including: your broadband plan, modem, home wifi setup and the capacity of your broadband provider’s network. Read our tips for getting the best home wifi experience and the steps you can take to improve your broadband speed.
Latency refers to the time it takes for data to move from one device to another and is an important consideration when using real-time applications like video calls and online games. Lower is better. The Measuring Broadband New Zealand report doesn't provide data on Fibre Starter and Hyperfibre connections yet, so these latency figures are based on Chorus data and reflects the MBNZ finding that there is no material difference in latency between different fibre connections.
** Hyperfibre is available at connection speeds of 2,000 Mbps, 4,000 Mbps and 8,000 Mbps.
+ Cost: Offers vary between service providers – these indicative prices come from Broadband Compare as at May 2022 and don’t include any other costs (like modems) your service provider might charge. Please contact a provider to understand the actual cost.
++ Netflix streaming reliability: The proportion of households able to stream two Ultra High Definition videos from Netflix with variable bitrate encoding based on the latest Measuring Broadband New Zealand (MBNZ) report. The MBNZ report doesn't report on Hyperfibre streaming reliability yet, but does note that higher bandwidth connections like Fibre 300 and Fibre Pro are able to reliably stream high-quality video more of the time. We've given Hyperfibre a 100% Netflix streaming reliability value because it offers higher bandwidth than Fibre 300 and Fibre Pro.
